Gov. Kelly Armstrong presented Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Awards on Thursday to Bismarck-born wrestling legends Terry and Troy Steiner, recognizing their four decades of influence as athletes, coaches, and ambassadors for the sport. The twin brothers, celebrated for their individual wrestling prowess and extensive coaching careers, received the state's highest honor during a ceremony at the North Dakota State Capitol. According to the Governor's Office, the awards acknowledge their significant impact on wrestling, inspiring many to pursue the sport.
The Steiners began their acclaimed careers competing for Bismarck Century High School. Troy Steiner secured three individual state wrestling titles across different weight classes from 1986 to 1988. His brother, Terry Steiner, earned back-to-back state championships in 1987 and 1988, also across two weight classes. Following their graduation, both brothers attended the University of Iowa. There, Troy Steiner was honored as a four-year All-American, while Terry Steiner received the same distinction for three years. Each brother achieved an individual NCAA wrestling championship, with Troy winning in 1992 and Terry in 1993, as stated by Armstrong's office.
Their careers extended to the U.S. National Team, where Troy Steiner placed third at the U.S. Olympic Trials in both 1992 and 1996. After concluding their competitive days, both men transitioned to coaching roles. Troy Steiner held coaching positions at multiple Division I schools, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oregon State, and Fresno State, and now serves as the head coach of the Gopher Wrestling Club in Minneapolis. Terry Steiner took the helm as head coach of the women’s U.S. National Wrestling Team in 2002. Under his leadership, the organization grew significantly, becoming one of the country's fastest-growing female sports, the governor's office reported. Gov. Armstrong specifically noted his belief that no one in the United States had contributed more to the growth of women’s wrestling nationwide than Terry Steiner.
During the ceremony, attended by over 300 people in Memorial Hall, Troy Steiner reflected on the values instilled in them. "North Dakota didn’t teach us how to work hard, North Dakotans did," he said, crediting local community members for teaching them dedication and community care. He added that these examples "eventually, those examples become part of you." Troy Steiner also announced the establishment of the Steiner Rough Rider Foundation, inspired by a pre-death conversation with his father to "pay it forward." The foundation's mission, he stated, is to create opportunities for under-resourced young North Dakotans to "move forward through sport."
Terry Steiner expressed gratitude to his family, friends, and the community that shaped them. He acknowledged their role in allowing him and his brother to join a distinguished group of North Dakotans, adding, "No matter where our careers have taken us, North Dakota has always been home." Gov. Armstrong underscored the significance of their contributions, affirming that the brothers, "without question," brought distinction and recognition to their home state, the country, and the world.
The Steiner brothers are the 51st and 52nd recipients of the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, an honor established in 1961 to recognize present and former North Dakotans who achieve national recognition in their respective fields.
